How long before rebuilt
- Thread starter mebearman
- Start date
Those 550 fans are pretty solid if the jetting is correct and the carbs are kept clean. The only problem I have ever read about is lean burndowns, the engine itself is very good overall.
I would just do a compression test and if it's good, I would keep running them. I had almost 9000 miles on my last Polaris triple and the rings, pistons, bearings, etc had never been touched. Had it checked out by dealer at 8K miles and they said keep running it, so I did.
If compression is low, and you have kept up with the fogging each year, which helps guard against rusty bearings, I would just do a top-end rebuild now and plan on a total rebuild at 9-10K miles.
Good luck -
I would just do a compression test and if it's good, I would keep running them. I had almost 9000 miles on my last Polaris triple and the rings, pistons, bearings, etc had never been touched. Had it checked out by dealer at 8K miles and they said keep running it, so I did.
If compression is low, and you have kept up with the fogging each year, which helps guard against rusty bearings, I would just do a top-end rebuild now and plan on a total rebuild at 9-10K miles.
Good luck -
srt20
Active member
The 550 engines LOVE to be run hard and fast. They HATE going slow at high rpm. (deep powder). The engines seem to last forever, BUT they overheat easy, which melts them down. If you run it at good speeds on the trail, I wouldnt do anything other than do a compression test every year or so.
These engines pick up their cooling air right next to the exhaust pipe. A good heat shield/shroud will go a long way to help keep her cool. Great designed engine, in a not so great designed engine compartment.
These engines pick up their cooling air right next to the exhaust pipe. A good heat shield/shroud will go a long way to help keep her cool. Great designed engine, in a not so great designed engine compartment.
snow_monkey
New member
X'2 on the compression check then ridem like there stolen. Be sure to let them warm up a bit before taking off. Srt is right about the heat shield.
indy_500
Well-known member
i'm not though, i'm a worry-wart, ask my friends! Now that i know how every aspect of how a snowmobile works, i'm too afraid to ride it!!!
Indy, I am gettin alot more whimpy also. I used to get on a open lake, and hose clamp the throttle, and never think about what the engine is doing. Now I know that things are too expensive to fix all the time. Maybe I'll win the lottery and not have to worry so much anymore.
teamarctic
New member
have had two of these sleds in our fleet. one has about 7k on it and the other has around 5k i think. those engines are bulletproof. ride it like you stole it.
srt20
Active member
I would have no problem whatsoever rubber-banding the throttle to the bar across Lake Gogebic(sp). I have held it wide open on RR grades for 5 miles or more plenty of times. Of course the fastest Ive ever had it was 82 mph with my butt on it. And that was pretty much PERFECT conditions.
tundra ron
New member
488cc
I saw one off the old fan cooled in Coady Wy. with 20000 mi. on they said the engine was never apart. This was the 488cc motor.Owned by the park service
I saw one off the old fan cooled in Coady Wy. with 20000 mi. on they said the engine was never apart. This was the 488cc motor.Owned by the park service
indy_500
Well-known member
i've seen a 488 fan with 42k before it was taken apart.